Photo Overload: Vienna, Austria

Sights

I made it a habit of stopping in the middle of the street to take pictures.

The "Rat House" with a crazy skating rink that had paths all through the woods.

This girl's mom probably thought I was the biggest creep ever. I was taking a picture of the penguin, I promise.

Rathaus at night.

I feel like this should be the opening scene from a Batman movie. Or maybe have Spider man whip around the tower on his silly string.

The Opera House

Saving our "seats" (we had standing seats) with scarves.

Sarah and me before Salome...weirdest opera ever (admittedly I have nothing to compare it to). Dads in love with daughters, Daughters in love with Saints, beheading the Saint in order make love to his head. All in falsetto.

The monument the Soviets forced the Viennese to erect for them in gratitude for whatever the Soviets did for them.

These guys have crazy facial expressions.

The Parliament Building--built in the historicism style. Historicism is where the style of the architecture on the outside reflects that which occurs on the inside. In this case, the Parliament building is neo-Roman. The Roman architecture symbolizes democracy. Thanks Rick Steves!

One of the many palaces in the city.

Spanish Riding School...i don't really know why its not Viennese, but w/e

An artist ACTUALLY painting! Its like finding the elusive holographic charazard.

Schönbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace--the summer residence of the Hapsburgs--in winter.

"It was the summer of [name that Renaissance year]"

This is why they only spent the summers here.

What it should look like.

Statues around Vienna

Mozart

Two seconds before we read the sign that says, "NO CLIMBING!"

Sex-man Freud

PChem-ers, this one's for you.

And this one is for anyone he also secretly loves when ambulances or police cars whiz past you and the siren pitch changes.

He was guarding the palace...since when is sticking your tongue out intimidating?

At first glance, this statue seems relatively tame.

Then you look up close to see the eyes of death on the cherub and realize he's about to stab this guy with this flame thrower/spear thing.

Vienna: The City of Cake

Home of the original Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot jam.

Basically every other shop in Vienna.

Cake in the window of Demel, the best cake shop in Vienna

Another Demel Cake

Coffee at Central Cafe

More Cake!

Food!

Wiener Schnitzel--Raise your hand if you were expecting some sort of hot dog. Or some sort of weiner-y thing. **raises hand** But apparently, Weiner means "Viennese" and schnitzel is like a pounded meat cutlet. So fried veal and potato salad it is.

That's more like it...Wiener Hotdog. Much Better.

Spätzle- Austria's answer to Macaroni and Cheese. A Potato noodle with cheese and onions.

Lemonade Ginger-ale concoction. But look at the lederhosen. I had to try it.